Has it only been 16 years???

Has it only been sixteen years since this little sunshine-girl walked into our lives?

 But it was...16 years ago, we met our Jackie for the very first time.

So much has happened, and so much has changed. Some things haven't. She still makes this "Popeye" face...

Now she's all grown up and poised to step out into the world with her Lucas. 

The day we met Jackie, she was playing in a yard full of neighborhood kids and cousins. She stepped out of the crowd and into our hearts. She was a blond-haired, green-eyed pixie with a fun and spunky personality. It used to scare me how Jackie dove into life head-first and full-speed! She had such an exuberance for trying new things! Along the way, she got the bumps, bruises, and broken bones as evidence of that exuberance. lol

Now she's a tall, lovely young woman with a fun and spunky personality and a joi de vie (joy of living) that is all her own. 

She's filled our home with love, laughter, friends, noise, and fun. She's filled my heart in a way that's all her own and for which I am grateful beyond measure.

They say that a daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. I am doubly blessed to have two daughters who have grown up to be two of my best friends.

Jackie walked into our family and filled a space we didn't even realize was there until she filled it so seamlessly. The last 16 years have gone by much too quickly, but oh, how grateful I am that we have had this lovely ray of sunshine to bless our lives this long.

J has definitely kept us on our toes and made being parents an adventure. I'm grateful for that, and look forward with great anticipation to see where life takes her and what further adventures she and Lucas can dream up for themselves.

Happy Anniversary, J. We love you with all our hearts.

I am a firm believer in...

...happily ever after! I believe "Happily Ever After" can happen to anyone. It can become your reality if you choose to live that way. My own "Happily Ever After" began in earnest 27 years ago, today.

That was the day I went here:

...and married him for time and all eternity:

Up to that point in my life, it was the happiest day of my life!

I can honestly say that every day since has just been better and better. That's not to say that there haven't been some REALLY difficult times that tested our faith, commitment, and devotion to each other. But we always worked together to get through them. For us, the key was keeping our Heavenly Father as our partner in every part of our lives. ...and it's worked for us.

Marrying Kevin was the best choice I could have made. He's my soul-mate, my confidant, my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, my knight in shining armor, and my very best friend. 

Twenty-seven years ago, we took our first steps into our own "Happily Ever After" and have never regretted it. Now we stand looking out into the rest of our "Happily Ever After" and realize the best is yet to come.

Happy Anniversary, my dearest Kevin. I love you with all of my heart!